Blues legend Bryan Lee to perform at Bert’s Bar April 30 and May 1

April 24, 2013

Born on March 16, 1943, in Two Rivers, Wis., Bryan Lee lost his eyesight and was legally blind by the age of 8. Lee had an avid interest in early rock 'n' roll and blues music, which was fostered through the 1950s late night listening sessions from the Nashville Music radio stations such as WLAC. This is where Lee was first introduced to the sounds of Elmore James, T-Bone Walker and many other influential bluesmen.

The man now known as "Braille Blues Daddy" started out playing for Midwest crowds at the early age of 15. In the late 1950s, Lee opened for Bill Haley & The Comets with his band "The Glaciers," performing cover music of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Little Richard. By the early 1960s and throughout the 1970s, Lee's musical interest turned to the sound of Chicago Blues while touring throughout the Midwest.

In the late 1970s, Lee fell in love with the city of New Orleans and eventually moved to the Crescent City Jan 6, 1982. Lee has been a fixture of the French Quarter music scene ever since. His guitar brings the Chicago styled blues of Luther Allison, as well as Albert King and Albert Collins down to the Crescent City.

Lee made his stand, performing five nights a week for over 14 years at the Old Absinthe House.

Lee is referred to as "A New Orleans Blues In stitution," a name given to him by Quint Davis, producer of NOLa Jazz and Heritage Festival, which Bryan has performed at for 26 years now.

On April 30 and May 1 Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band from New Orleans will be playing at Bert's Bar in Matlacha.